Member-Owners Encouraged to Use Energy Wisely During Extreme Heat
July 7, 2010
REC announced today that it continues to closely monitor electric usage during the current heat wave. The utility expects to have enough power to meet customer demand, but continues to urge member-owners to use power prudently during this period of extremely high demand.
Virginia summers mean more than just hot, humid weather. Higher temperatures typically mean higher electric bills. Summer bills are typically higher because air conditioners must work much harder to keep homes comfortable during hot humid weather months. Air conditioning accounts for more than half of a typical home's energy usage in the summer.
As the weather continues to get hotter and humidity rises, your air conditioner has to work harder to maintain your thermostat setting. So the hotter it gets outside, the more energy you use inside, even if you don't change your thermostat setting from one month to another.
Due to the increased usage caused by hot weather, member-owners should prepare for higher-than-normal bills. However, members may be able to lower their bills through conservation. Electricity conservation measures include, but are not limited to:
- Setting air conditioner thermostats higher than usual if health permits
- Closing curtains and blinds to keep the sun out and retain cooler air inside
- Using fans to circulate air (Moving air feels cooler. Turn ceiling fans off in unoccupied rooms.)
- Delaying the use of major household appliances like electric stoves, dishwashers, clothes washers and clothes dryers until after 9 p.m.
- Turning off non-essential electric appliances and equipment
REC provides electric service to over 154,000 connections in parts of 22 Virginia counties. With its general office in Fredericksburg, Va., Rappahannock maintains more than 15,500 miles of power lines through its service area, which ranges from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. For information about REC and for more energy tips, please browse this Web site.